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    Pink Owl Kitchen » Side Dishes » Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese

    Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese

    Published: Nov 2, 2020 · Modified: Aug 4, 2022 by Ashley · This post may contain affiliate links

    JUMP TO RECIPE
    smoked gouda mac and cheese in a white baking dish with a blue linen underneath.
    smoked gouda mac and cheese in a white baking dish with a blue linen underneath.

    Rich, creamy baked macaroni and cheese made with lots of bold smoked gouda cheese with a buttery panko breadcrumb topping. This smoked gouda mac and cheese recipe will be your go-to side dish for weeknight meals and a must-have dish at Thanksgiving dinner!

    This is one flavorful macaroni and cheese recipe that bakes up extra creamy with a golden brown top. The bold, smoky flavor from the freshly grated smoked gouda cheese will blow your guests away!

    For more comfort food side dishes, check out our Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Southern Cornbread Dressing, and Southern Candied Yams recipes next!

    smoked gouda mac and cheese in a white baking dish with a blue linen underneath.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients You Need To Make This Recipe
    • How To Make This Recipe
    • Variations and Substitutions
    • Make Ahead and Storing Instructions
    • FAQs and Tips For The Best Mac and Cheese
    • What To Serve With Mac and Cheese
    • Recommended Tools For This Recipe
    • More Thanksgiving Recipes You Will Love!
    • 📖 Recipe

    Ingredients You Need To Make This Recipe

    • Dried pasta. You can use any short pasta such as elbow macaroni, pasta shells, cavatappi, farfalle, penne, or fusilli. I used cavatappi for this recipe.
    • Unsalted butter. To create the roux base for the mac and cheese.
    • Chopped yellow onion. Cooked with the roux for added flavor.
    • Fresh garlic. For added freshness and flavor.
    • All-purpose flour. Cooked with butter and cream to make the cheese sauce.
    • Half and half. Combined with the butter and flour for the cheese sauce.
    • Onion powder, garlic powder, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. To season the mac and cheese.
    • Smoked gouda and regular young-aged gouda cheese. For incredible creaminess and a bold smoky flavor. You can also use white cheddar instead or regular gouda.

    Panko Breadcrumb Topping

    • Panko breadcrumbs
    • Unsalted butter
    • Salt and cracked black pepper
    • Fresh chopped parsley
    smoked gouda mac and cheese on a white plate with a sliver fork.

    How To Make This Recipe

    • Preheat your oven to 375°F. Butter a 9 x 13 baking dish and set it aside.
    • Cook the pasta in salted water until almost al dente and still firm to the bite. Drain the pasta and run cold water over it to stop the cooking process. Set the pasta aside.
    • Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a Dutch oven or stockpot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until the onion begins to soften. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
    • Add the flour to the pot with the butter and onion and cook while stirring for about 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste. Slowly pour in the half and half while stirring the mixture with a wooden spoon so lumps do not form.
    • Season the sauce with onion powder, garlic powder, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, salt, and cracked black pepper. Continue to cook the sauce for 3 to 5 minutes, or until thickened, while stirring occasionally.
    • Add two cups of freshly grated smoked gouda cheese and two cups of freshly grated young-aged gouda or white cheddar and stir until the cheese is melted. Add the pasta to the pot and stir until well combined.
    • Transfer the macaroni and cheese to the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the remaining cup of smoked gouda cheese evenly over top. In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, salt, pepper, and chopped parsley together with a fork until combined.
    • Pour the breadcrumb mixture over the mac and cheese in an even layer and transfer the mac and cheese to the preheated oven. Bake the macaroni and cheese uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown on top. Allow the mac and cheese to cool for about 10 minutes and enjoy!
    onions cooking in butter.
    cheese sauce for smoked gouda mac and cheese cooking in a pot.
    smoked gouda mac and cheese in a pot.
    smoked gouda mac and cheese in a baking dish before going in the oven.
    smoked gouda mac and cheese with panko breadcrumb topping before going in the oven.

    Variations and Substitutions

    • This baked macaroni and cheese can be made with different varieties of cheese for a different flavor. Just be sure to use good melting cheeses for the best texture. Some of my favorites are:
      • Cheddar
      • Gruyere
      • Monterey Jack
      • Fontina
      • Cream cheese
      • Muenster
    • The half and half in this recipe can be substituted for whole milk if that is what you have. You can also use a combination of milk and heavy cream, which is what half and half is.
    smoked gouda mac and cheese in a white baking dish with a blue linen underneath.

    Make Ahead and Storing Instructions

    Smoked gouda mac and cheese can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator overnight.

    Just be sure to rinse the pasta with cool water so that it is not hot when mixed with the sauce. Also, allow the cheese sauce to cool for about 30 minutes before combining it with the pasta.

    These two steps ensure your macaroni and cheese does not become mushy while sitting in the refrigerator. Allow the mac and cheese to sit out at room temperature for about 30 minutes and bake as directed the day you plan to serve.

    Leftover mac and cheese can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.

    smoked gouda mac and cheese on a white plate with a sliver fork.

    FAQs and Tips For The Best Mac and Cheese

    Does smoked gouda melt well?

    Smoked gouda is a great melting cheese because it is a young-aged gouda with smoke flavor added. Gouda that has not been aged a long time will have a high moisture content, making it great for melting.

    How do I make macaroni and cheese creamy?

    Do not add too much flour to the roux. Butter and flour, which is what roux is, help give the mac and cheese structure, but too much flour can cause the cheese sauce to become pasty instead of creamy.

    If you would like to take your creaminess to the next level, try adding some cream cheese, mascarpone, or Greek yogurt to your cheese sauce!

    And most importantly, never use package pre-shredded cheese for macaroni and cheese! They contain anti-caking agents that prevent the cheese from melting well. Always freshly grate your cheese for mac and cheese!

    smoked gouda mac and cheese in a white baking dish with a blue linen underneath.

    Why is my mac and cheese mushy?

    You most likely overcooked your pasta. Be sure to only boil your pasta until slightly under al dente, or until it still has a bit of snap when bitten into. This ensures it does not overcook when the mac and cheese is baked in the oven.

    Why did my mac and cheese turn out dry?

    Baked macaroni and cheese can turn out dry when it is overbaked. Only bake the mac and cheese until it is light golden brown on top and the sides are bubbly.

    Macaroni cheese can also become dry if too much flour is added when making the roux. Be sure to measure flour properly to avoid this.

    smoked gouda mac and cheese on a white plate with a sliver fork.

    What To Serve With Mac and Cheese

    Smoked gouda mac and cheese makes the perfect accompaniment to just about any dinner menu, and it is a must-have side dish for Thanksgiving dinner! Serve this mac and cheese with some of the following dishes:

    • Southern Oven Fried Catfish
    • Southern Buttermilk Cornbread
    • Cajun Smothered Chicken
    • Sweet and Spicy Turnip Greens
    • Cajun Honey Roasted Carrots
    • Creamy Mushroom Chicken

    Recommended Tools For This Recipe

    • Cheese grater
    • Dutch oven
    • Mixing bowl
    • 9 x 13 baking dish
    smoked gouda mac and cheese in a white baking dish with a blue linen underneath.

    More Thanksgiving Recipes You Will Love!

    • Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese
    • Southern Sweet Potato Casserole
    • Brown Sugar Glaze for Ham
    • Creamy Pumpkin Risotto
    • 1-Hour Soft Homemade Dinner Rolls

    📖 Recipe

    Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese

    Ashley
    Rich, creamy baked macaroni and cheese made with lots of bold smoked gouda cheese with a buttery panko breadcrumb topping. This mac and cheese recipe will be your go-to side dish for weeknight meals and a must-have dish at Thanksgiving dinner!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 35 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 742 kcal

    Equipment

    • 9 x 13 baking dish
    • cheese grater

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound uncooked cavatappi pasta or elbow macaroni, pasta shells, or penne
    • 6 tablespoons butter unsalted
    • ½ cup yellow onion chopped
    • 4 cloves garlic minced
    • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
    • 2 ½ cups half and half or whole milk
    • 1 tablespoon onion powder
    • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • Salt and cracked black pepper to taste
    • 3 cups smoked gouda cheese freshly grated, divided
    • 2 cups regular young-aged gouda cheese or white cheddar cheese, freshly grated

    Panko Breadcrumb Topping

    • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
    • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • Cracked black pepper
    • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley leaves and small stems only, finely chopped

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat your oven to 375°F. Butter a 9 x 13 baking dish and set it aside.
    • Cook the pasta in salted water until just under al dente and still firm to the bite. Drain the pasta and run cold water over it to stop the cooking process. Set the pasta aside.
    • Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a Dutch oven or stockpot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until the onion begins to soften. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
    • Add the flour to the pot with the onion and cook while stirring for about 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste. Slowly pour in the half and half while stirring the mixture with a wooden spoon so lumps do not form.
    • Season the sauce with onion powder, garlic powder, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, salt, and cracked black pepper. Continue to cook the sauce for 3 to 5 minutes, or until thickened slightly, while stirring occasionally.
    • Add two cups of freshly grated smoked gouda cheese and two cups of freshly grated young-aged gouda or white cheddar and stir until the cheese is melted. Add the pasta to the pot and stir until well combined.
    • Transfer the macaroni and cheese to the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the remaining cup of smoked gouda cheese evenly over the top. In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, salt, pepper, and chopped parsley together with a fork until combined.
    • Spread the breadcrumb mixture over the mac and cheese in an even layer and transfer the mac and cheese to the preheated oven. Bake the macaroni and cheese uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown on top. Allow the mac and cheese to cool for about 10 minutes and enjoy!

    Notes

    • Smoked gouda mac and cheese can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator overnight. Just be sure to rinse the pasta with cool water so that it is not hot when mixed with the sauce. Also, allow the cheese sauce to cool for about 30 minutes before combining it with the pasta.
    • Allow the mac and cheese to sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes and bake as directed the day you plan to serve.
    • Leftover mac and cheese can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
    • Reheat mac and cheese in the microwave or oven.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 742kcalCarbohydrates: 56.4gProtein: 33.1gFat: 42gSaturated Fat: 26.6gSodium: 916mgPotassium: 372mgFiber: 2.6gSugar: 4.3gCalcium: 684mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword baked macaroni and cheese, comfort food recipes, creamy mac and cheese, mac and cheese, side dish recipes, smoked gouda mac and cheese, thanksgiving recipes, thanksgiving side dishes
    Tried this recipe?Tag @thepinkowlkitchen on Instagram! And don't forget to leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and review!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Marla

      November 20, 2020 at 11:10 pm

      After i saw this reCipe oN Instagram, i Knew i Had to try it asap! We made some ribs in thE Smoker for dinneR tOnight, aNd tHis was the perfect sidE to Go with it. Smoky, cheesY, creamy, deliCious! The whoLe familY loved it!

      Reply
      • Ashley

        November 21, 2020 at 10:12 pm

        Hi Marla! Hearing this makes me so happy! I’m glad you and your family enjoyed the recipe. Happy Holidays!

        Reply
    2. Marlon Boyd

      August 04, 2022 at 3:10 am

      5 stars
      I can’t wait to use this recipe for The Holiday season!!! I know it will taste amazing!

      Reply
      • Ashley Boyd

        August 12, 2022 at 9:39 pm

        Thank you and I hope you love it!

        Reply
    3. Kristina

      September 29, 2022 at 12:13 am

      5 stars
      I tried this tonight for a side dish and omg it was so good! Such a perfect combination of spices and flavors, I had to go back for seconds!

      Reply
      • Ashley Boyd

        September 30, 2022 at 1:49 am

        Oh wow, what a huge compliment Kristina! I'm thrilled to her you enjoyed the mac and cheese recipe. Thank you for trying it!

        Reply

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    Hi! I'm Ashley.

    I am a new mom, wife, and creator of all you see here at Pink Owl Kitchen. All of our recipes are influenced by my southern upbringing and are made with fresh, seasonal ingredients to encourage families to come together around the dinner table more!

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